In the Republic of Congo (ROC) pre-feasibility studies have shown that the planned Sounda hydroelectric power plant has a potential capacity of 450 MW to 500 MW. The pre-feasibility studies were carried out by the World Bank.
The World Bank said that the construction of the Sound hydroelectric power plant would cost more than $2 billion. The financial institution went on to say that for the project to succeed, it will require the establishment of a reform of the electricity sector, and carry out additional studies.
“The viability of this project will require firm commitments for the purchase of the Sounda dam production. It will be necessary to put in place an electricity purchase contract, identify the environmental impacts and establish the most appropriate public-private partnership framework to build, finance and manage the dam,” said Marcus Shubaer, the World Bank’s chief of mission for the project.
Djibrila Issa, the Resident Representative of the World Bank in the Congo, added to Shubaer’s comment saying “it will be necessary to take additional measures including the strengthening of the transmission network and the reform of the National Electricity Company (SNE) in order to reduce the technical and commercial losses of the power plant.”